LEIGHTON SAMUEL'S dream of turning Sardis Road into an all-seater stadium for the Celtic Warriors have been dashed, The Western Mail can reveal.

LEIGHTON SAMUEL'S dream of turning Sardis Road into an all-seater stadium for the Celtic Warriors have been dashed, The Western Mail can reveal.

The Warriors chief executive's bid to buy Pontypridd's ground lease has been rejected by the club's trustees.

And it sparked a stinging attack from Warriors and former Pontypridd coach Lynn Howells who accused the trustees of being "narrow-minded".

He said, "The people of Pon- typridd should know what is going on. Leighton wanted to build an all-seater stadium at Sardis Road for the Warriors but it was turned down.

"People think that Leighton has completely taken over the Warriors but he has not - the Welsh Rugby Union has a 50 per cent stake.

"There is a vision for the Warriors and Sardis Road is part of it. This decision by the trustees saddens me.

"They are depriving Pontypridd of the chance to host the Bridgend and valleys regional team. It's madness - and for why?"

Samuel said he was "disappointed" and added, "We just have to keep looking for a suitable site. I am determined to see this project through and establish regional rugby."

The 99-year lease on Sardis Road - Rhondda Cynon Taff council owns the ground - runs to 2093. It reverted to the trustees when Pontypridd Rugby Football Club Limited went into administration recently.

"I made the trustees a substantial offer but, for some rea- son I fail to understand, they turned me down. There is a pos- sible site in Llantrisant and ha- ve another in mind," he said.

The Warriors will play at Sar- dis Road this season but the long-term future is uncertain.

Former Wales forwards coach Howells was pleased 2,000 were at the Brewery Field despite the 2.30pm kick-off clashing with Pontypridd, Bridgend, Swansea and Neath games.

Warriors management claimed they needed permission of BBC Wales to play non-televised Celtic League matches on Fridays, saying the Ospreys had got the green light to entertain top-of-the-table Edinburgh at The Gnoll this week.

But with the Warriors desperate to attract fans, they can't let this happen again.

The off-field saga failed to detract from a game that saw some positive rugby.

The Warriors had the edge up front with lock Nathan Bud- gett and flanker Richard Parks to the fore, but their centre par- tnership of Matthew Nuthall and Shaun James did not have the experience and thrust of Ospreys pair Scott Gibbs and James Storey.

But the real match-winner was Gavin Henson. Why the talented full-back or outside- half was not taken to the World Cup by Wales beggars belief.

He shrugged off two tackles to set up left-wing Gareth Morris for the first of his two tries, converted both and kicked six penalties for a 22-point haul to hoist the Ospreys to fourth in the table and a big clash with Celtic pace-setters Edinburgh.

"Edinburgh are playing quite well, but we will be fired up for it," said Ospreys coach Lyn Jones.